Boat Naming Tips?

[SV_Harbinger]

And elaborate on what I had said earlier about a name should mean something, Harbinger is the name of my current boat because I intend to get a bigger better boat when the time is right the same as she was bigger and better than my last boat, which was Atropos, because everyone was convinced she was going to kill me....

[James S]

Names that sound like May Day might avoided.. I have actually seen a Pay Day...
A big power boat in a local marina is named Thanks Dad....nothing like telling it like it is...

[Mirage35]

Agree with all of the above, but a memory reminds me that too short can be a problem on the radio, too. Once sailed on a boat that had a four-letter name (no, not that kind, it was actually the name of a small island in Brittany). When calling it phonetically on the radio I noticed that there was usually a long pause while the person on the other end waited for the rest ...

[JPA Cate]

Shortest names I remember are Aka (means "reflection" iin Hawaiian) and Bob (like bobbing on choppy seas.)

Imo, our boat name, while it suits us, is too long, and too hard to rattle out phonetically for an emergency situation.

Ann

[Mirage35]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

...
Imo, our boat name ...


Ann

Oh, dear, I read this too quickly the first time and thought the boat's name was "Imo". Definitely not too long.

[Attikos]

My sole suggestion is to make it personal. Draw a name from your past, for instance. Mine is of the area in which I grew up.

[Nariel]

Great question and topic -- I actually just finished scrubbing the hull (now drying) to put on our new name decal. We just got our paperwork back from the gov't with our name change.

We spent many many a long nights hashing out different names. Our criteria was similar to those above -- keep it short, easy to say/spell including non-English speakers, easy to say in NATO over the radio, and very very meaningful.

In fact, I think we probably overwhelm people a little bit when I start explaining the 3rd or 4th layer of meaning in the name. Maybe I'll post a picture after we get the new lettering applied.

[Tillsbury]

We chose and wrote down a whole load of boat names drunk. Then over the next few days sober we crossed them out until we had just one.

This boat we both independently came up with the same name as our first and only preference, and it was available to my amazement so we took it.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by StuM

In the same vein, puns cause problems.


Don't be like most of these idiots:



Hilarious Boat Names (30 Photos) : theCHIVE


https://www.thoughtco.com/ahoy-check...-names-1923771


https://worldwideinterweb.com/boat-n...-pun-pictures/


Hilarious boat names for funny boaters who love nautical puns - All things boat

Oh come on, you've gotta like this one....

[boatingnewbie]

I want to buy a 45' catamaran and really wanted to call it "WAR BEAR" because it would make for a cool, aggressive logo. But it's sort of a funny story behind the name because I have a small goldendoodle named "Warren" and his nickname since he was a puppy was "War Bear." And my dog will be on the boat too.

But maybe people will be turned off by a boat name with "War" in it. ? Or some may think it's only for people with a military background.

[boatingnewbie]

I also thought of naming the catamaran "Window".... because it is obviously a sail boat ("wind") and a window itself is kind of a VIEW of whatever adventures you're going to experience... and then I'm also a stock trader so the "Dow" in the name is kind of related to me too.

[Attikos]

Originally Posted by boatingnewbie

I want to buy a 45' catamaran and really wanted to call it "WAR BEAR" because it would make for a cool, aggressive logo. But it's sort of a funny story behind the name because I have a small goldendoodle named "Warren" and his nickname since he was a puppy was "War Bear." And my dog will be on the boat too.

But maybe people will be turned off by a boat name with "War" in it. ? Or some may think it's only for people with a military background.

No vulgarity or offense intended, but screw 'em. It's your boat.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Remember the other boat who is trying trying to call you on the VHF, can they read and pronounce your boat's name?

Well that rules out French names.

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by boatingnewbie

I want to buy a 45' catamaran and really wanted to call it "WAR BEAR" because it would make for a cool, aggressive logo. But it's sort of a funny story behind the name because I have a small goldendoodle named "Warren" and his nickname since he was a puppy was "War Bear." And my dog will be on the boat too.

But maybe people will be turned off by a boat name with "War" in it. ? Or some may think it's only for people with a military background.

Sounds like a perfect name. You like it, it is personal, and fits all of the above criteria.

Military background or not is irrelevant. Go for it.

[boatingnewbie]

Originally Posted by RainDog

Sounds like a perfect name. You like it, it is personal, and fits all of the above criteria.

Military background or not is irrelevant. Go for it.

Thanks, RainDog! I always liked it (especially with the funny meaning behind it) and people could always visit the boat and meet the real "War Bear" who is basically like a big teddy bear and the farthest thing from something vicious or 'war' like. Hehe.

* I uploaded a photo of my dog and the logo concept for "War Bear" to my album. I always thought it would be cool to have that big bear head logo on a sail.

The other 'meaning' behind his "War Bear" nickname is that he's had some tough moments in life (as we all have) and it represents resiliency. He was attacked by 4 coyotes in California but fought them long enough for me to save him and get him to the hospital. He's completely healed now. So he's a tough little guy when he has to be; like most of us.